WQIO Ohio's Super Station
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim victims have missed jury duty and must immediately pay a fine to avoid arrest.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers are posing as deputies or court officials and telling residents they failed to appear for jury service. The callers often demand payment through prepaid gift cards, cryptocurrency or electronic payment apps, while threatening arrest if the money isn’t sent immediately.
Sheriff’s officials stress that no legitimate law enforcement agency or court will ever call and demand immediate payment over the phone for missed jury duty or any other court-related matter.
The scam is part of a growing trend across Ohio in which criminals use publicly available information and official-sounding language to convince victims the calls are legitimate. In many cases, scammers spoof government phone numbers, making it appear as though the call is coming directly from a sheriff’s office or courthouse.
Authorities encourage anyone receiving one of these calls to hang up immediately and contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Office using its publicly listed phone number to verify any claims.
Residents who believe they may have been targeted or lost money are encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement.
Officials say public awareness remains one of the best defenses against these increasingly sophisticated scams.
